Apparatus for forming curved and flanged or ribbed metal bars.



N0. 65!,052. Patented lune 5, I900.

F. PHILIPS.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING CURVED AND FLANGED 0R RIBBED METAL BARS.

(Application filed June 29, 1899.)

4 Shanta-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

No. 65l,052. Patented June 5, I900.

F. PHILIPS. APPARATUS FOR FORMING CURVED AND FLANGED-OR RIBBED METAL BARS.

(Application filed June 29, 1899.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-8heei 2.

No. 651,052 Patented June 5, I900.

F. PHILIPS. APPARATUS FOR FORMING CURVED AND F LANGED 0R BIBBED METAL BARS.

(Application filed Juna 29, 1899.)

4Sheets$heet 3.

(No Model.)

Patented June 5, I900.

, F. PHILIPS.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING CURVED AND FLANGED 0R RIBBED METAL BARS.

(Application filed. June 29, 1899.)

4 Sheets-Shed! 4.

=No Modal.)

UNiTEn STATES PATE T OFFICE- FERDINAND PHILIPS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING CURVED AND FLANGED R RIBBED METAL BARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,052, dated June 5, 1900;

Application filed June 29,1899. Serial No. 722,235. (No model.)

To a ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FERDINAND PHILIPS, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia,inthc State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Apparatus for Forming Curved and Flanged or Ribbed Metal Bars, of which the following is a true and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

Myinvention relates to the construction of apparatus for forming curved metal plates with flanges or ribs extending parallel to the plane of curvature. Particularly my invention is designed for forming sheet-metal plates or bars of this character, although in its broader features it is applicablealso to rolled sections; and the particular object I have in view is the formation of pulley-rim sections, although my invention is applicable as well to the curving of flanged barsinto other structural forms. In the formation of sheet-metal rims or structural forms I first bend or fold the sheet along parallel longitudinal lines into a flanged or ribbed bar of the desired conformation, and having secured such a bar, either in this way or as a rolled section, my method of bending to the desired curvature, which method is new with me and forms the subject-matter of my divisional application filed September 18, 1899, Serial No. 730,827, is

to press itprogressively onto the face of a con-' vexly-curved matrix and in a direction parallel to the plane or planes of its ribs or flanges, while at the same time I support the flange or flanges at and near the point where they are being bent against lateral distortion, thus insuring that the flange after curving shall lie substantially in the same plane as in the straight bar and also insuring a uniform degree of upsetting, crimping, or extension in the ribs or flanges, the permanent form of which prevents any sensible tendency in the curved bar to resume its original form. In my said method the bar is held upon the face of the matrix at or near one end of the portion to be curved and then progressively bent over the matrix, being always anchored to the matrix immediately in the rear of the portion being bent, and in thisway the bending proceeds by a succession of differential bends, so to speak, by which the strains are brought upon the bar, and particularly its ribs or flanges, very gradually, but with the immediate completionof the bending operation upon the portion, however small, acted upon, and thus the bar,treated by my method, has during the operation no partially-bent portion, the untreated bar merging immediately into the completely-curved bar.

The concave matrix which I prefer to employ is a roller with which coacts a bendingroller acting to force the bar down upon the face of the matrix-roller; but this and the other details of the mechanism forming the subject matter of this application will be best understood in connection with the drawings, in which they are illustrated, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of my new bend ing-machine designed to carry into effect my process. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine from the opposite side. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the machine. Fig. 4 is a plan View of the machine, taken on the sectionline at 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal central section through a matrix-roller, showing a clamping device for anchoring the bar to be treated. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a portion of the matrix-roll, showing the .clamping device of Fig. 5. Fig. 7is acentral longitudinal section through a matrix-roller which I prefer to employ and which may be called a collapsing matrix. Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 8 S of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a detail view showing a modified form of clamping device. Figs. 10 to 14 are a series of views illustrating, progressively, bending operations performed upon a plate of sheet metal in the operation of converting it into a flanged or ribbed bar. Figs. 15 and 16 are perspective views illustrating further operations performed upon the bar in order to complete it in the form which I prefer. Fig. 17 is a perspective View showing the bar of Fig. 16 after it has been curved in accordance with my method. Fig. 18 is a perspective viewillustrating another form of sheet-metal ribbed or flanged bar curved in accordance with my invention. Fig. 19 is an end view of two flanged bars abutted together so as to form a section somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 16 and which may be curved together, if desired. Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a flanged or ribbed bar similar to Fig. 16, showing a provision for anchoring it on the matrix-roller; and Fig. 21 is a sketch View showing a modification or reversal of the conformation of the matrix and pressure rolls.

The method of bending a metal plate into the forms shown in Figs. 14: and 16 and by the steps indicated in Figs. 10 to 16 of the drawings is described in another application for Letters Patent filed by me June 30, 1899, Serial No. 722,412, in which case is also described and claimed mechanism especially adapted for effecting the folding indicated in Figs. 12 and 13. In still another application for Letters Patent filed June 29, 1899, Serial No. 722,236, I have described the structural form indicated in the section of Fig. 18 and my preferred method for making this form from sheet metal.

Referring now again to the drawings, A A indicate the supporting-framings of my machine; A, a horizontally-extendingtable slotted as indicated at a, and A an upwardly-extending portion of the framing slotted as in dicated at a A being a plate secured across the top of the upright slotted portion, formed with a perforation (t for the passage of the adjlisting-screw.

A A are beveled edges of the standard A extending out on each side of the slot indicated at a B is a plate formed, as shown, with an inwardly-beveled groove, the edges of which are indicated at 13 B and which lap over the beveled edges A above mentioned.

I have indicated at b a shim between the bevel, while at b I have shown ataper-reccss formed in the inner face of the plate 13, in which fits the tapered head G of a bolt G, the edge of the head fitting up against the adjacent bevel edge A and it will be obvious that by means of such bolts, either with or without shims (indicated at 1),) a very close tit can be made between the bevels of the plate B and those of the standard A B indicates lugs extending inward from the plate B and lying within the slot at of the standard A These lugs are perforated and carry in or between them a nut, a threaded rod (indicated at I) screwing into the nut, said rod being supported by the huh I, and a hand-wheel I resting on the plate A By turning this threaded red the plate 13 can be raised or forced down to any position desired.

B is a rearward extension of the plate 13.

B and B are hearings or supports for a shaft or bar D D.

b b are bearings for a shaft E E.

\Vhat I have referred to as a shaft or bar D D has for its function merely to support the outer end E of the shaft E. Its outwardly-proj eetin g portion is preferably made tapering, as indicated at D, and it is connected with the outer end E of the shaft E by a plate or bar F connecting a hub F, through which passes the end of the shaft D D, and hub F, through which passes the end of the shaft E.

E is a gear-wheel secured on the end of the shaft E, the pitch-line of which would be of the same diameter as the bending-roller secured on the same shaftaud to be hereinafter described.

G G represent a shaft supported in bearings a a, of the frame-standards A A, the outer end G extending beneath the end E of the shaft E and being formed, as shown, with a slot g.

G is a gear-wheel fitting on the end of the shaft G and having a pitch-line corresponding with that of the matrix-roller secured on the same shaft. The gearavheel G is in operative engagement with a gear-wheel E as shown.

II is a slide movable in the slotted plate A and carrying a bearing II for a shaft, to one end of which is secured a gear-wheel I1 and to the other end of which is secured a pulleywhcel I1 through which pulleywheel the machine is driven. The plate ll is made adjustable, so as to accommodate the gear ii to different sizes of gear-wheels G .I, Figs. 2, 3, -'l-, 5, and 6, is a simple form of matrix-roller, a preferred, though more complicated form being indicated in Figs. 7 and S. The roller .I is secured on the shaft end G, as shown, and is formed with an annular central slot J, adapted to receive and tit quite closely a flange or rib of the bar to be bent. As shown, I have also formed the roller J with corner edges .1 J against which the edge flanges of the bar to be bent should fit closely.

K is the bending-roller in connection with which the matrix-roller works and which in the case of bars having edge flanges is providcd with outwardly-exttending annular end flanges K K, which fit over the side flanges of the bar, being bent on the matrix-roller, and coact with the side edges J to prevent lateral distortion of these flanges.

In working with a roller-matrix it is desirable that the bar should be clamped at one end to the matrix-roller. This may conveniently be done by the device indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, lugs J being formed on the inside of the roller and supporting fulcrum-pins L L, upon which are pivoted levers L L, the inner ends of which maybe forced apart, as by means of a screw L so that their outer ends, preferably corrugated, as shown at L may be made to bite upon and hold fast the web or rib of the flange-plate.

It will be obvious that in using such a form of 111atrix-roller as J a certain amount of difficulty will be encountered in removing the bent plate from the matrix. To overcome this particularly, I have devised and prefer to use a collapsible matrix-roller such as is indicated in Figs. 7 and 8. In this construction two independent hubs M M are carried on the shaft G, from each of which extends IIO the'arm-supporting plate M, supporting the divisional parts M M of the roll-center, these parts being formed, as shown, so that when clamped together they leave a space m forming an annular groove around the roller.

M M are annular flanges projecting outward from the plates M 'm indicates openings through the web-plate M, extending from one of the hubs, and M represents perforated projections on the plate M of the hub M, lying to the left.

M M are perforated projections extending through the flanges M M M indicate cavities formed in the inner faces of the roller-sections, in which are situated plates or blocks M M M Fig. 7, are pins projecting from opposite sides of the sectional roller into the roller-cavity m m Fig. 9, indicates an alternative device consisting of serrated jaws.

M M 850., are springs secured on the hubsections M M.

M (see Fig. '7) indicates one of the symmetrically-disposed shoulders projecting from the plates M and coacting with levers to be hereinafter described.

M M &c., indicate screw-rods passing through the perforations M said rods being threaded at one end and provided with forked ears m at the other end, said ears projecting through the opening m, heretofore referred to, and serving to support pins M upon which are pivoted bent levers M a portion m of which is adapted to fit against the projection M, as shown in Fig. 7, while the free end of the lever is coupled by a link M with lugs m of a sliding block M The block M is circumferentially grooved, as indicated atM and in said groove fits an annular ring M having upwardly-projecting pins m on its opposite sides, which are coupled to arms N of a lever N pivoted at N upon any convenient support, such as an arm A extending up from the floor or bed of the machine.

M M are adjustable roll-rims longitudinally movable on the annular extensions M of the sectional roll-center. These rim-sections are provided with downwardly-extending lugs, as indicated at M through which adj listing-screws M pass in position to come in contact with rods M extending through the perforations M The springs M rest against the lugs M and tend to press them inward, as shown.

In the position of the sliding block M shown in Fig. 7 the parts of the matrix-roll are locked together in the position they occupy when in operation. The flange or ribbed bar has its central rib (indicated at 0) extending into the slot between the parts of the sectional center and its rim-flanges (indicated at 0 extending over the corners of the rim-sections M The free end of the lever M is forced up, so as to draw the righthand section inward by pressure upon the shoulders M". In pressing the two centers together in this way the bolts M are thrust outward against the adjusting-screws M, which, being attached to the rim-sections M press them outward in opposite directions and to the desired degree, and it will be observed that what may be called a toggle-joint lock is formed between the free end of levers M and the lugs m of the sliding block M by the links M. When the bar has been bent upon the matrix-roller and it is desired to remove it, the block M is drawn outward, drawing in or down the free ends of the bent levers M and thus relaxing the pressure holding the parts together, whereupon the springs M will act to draw the roll-centers apart, while at the same time they thrust the sectional rim portions together, thus effectually collapsing the roll and permitting the easy withdrawal of the completed work from it.

Referring particularly to Figs. 10 to 17, 0 indicates the flat plate or bar of sheet metal. It is first bent, as indicated in Fig. 11, at 0'0 to form the flanges 0'0, which are in the completed bar to form the central rib or web of the section. It is next bent, as indicated in Fig. 12, at 0 0 to form the folds O 0 which are then pressed in, as indicated in Figs. 13 and 14, until the flanges O are brought together. The folds O are then brought up into contact with the flat surfaces 0 of the plate, as indicated in Fig. 15, leaving a heading Where the folds o are made, and by subsequent operation this beading (shown in Fig. 15) is converted into flanges 0 as shown in Fig. 16, and the bar is then ready-to be bent upon my machine as described and shown in the drawings, or the beading may be pressed into the flange in the bending-machine.

In place of making a two-ply sheet-metal bar, as I may call the one above described, the bar may be formed from sheet metal as indicated in Fig. 18, a central fold forming the rib or central flange P, the metal being folded outward, as indicated at P P, and then inward again, as indicated at P Pulley-rims can also be made from two pieces in my machine and by my method by abutting together flanges Q of plates Q Q and then subjecting the two plates together to the bending operation I have above described.

In rolling a section curved as is indicated in Fig. 18 the central slot for the web-rim of the plate is formed in the resser-roller K, as indicated in Fig. 21, While the matrix-roller may conveniently carry the outwardly-extending end flanges, as shown in the same figure. Theoperation is precisely the same so far as affording support against lateral dis tortion is concerned.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isp 1. A machine for progressively bending flanged or ribbed metal bars having a matrixroller upon and about which the bar is bent and a bending-roller coacting with the matrix-roller to progressively bend the bar into the matrix as it passes between the rolls said rollers being shaped to form grooves for the flanges of the bars between the walls of which said flanges are con fined at the time they are bent about and whereby they are protected against lateral distortion.

2. A machine for progressively bending flanged T-shaped metal bars having a matrix-roller upon and about which the bar is bent, said roller being formed with a circumferential groove corresponding in position and width with the web-flange of the bar and a bending-roller coacting with the matrixroller to progressively bend the bar about the matrix as it passes between the rolls.

3. A machine for bending flanged T-shaped metal bars having a matrix-roller over which the bar is bent said roller being formed with a circumferential groove corresponding in position and width with the web-flange of the bar and with straight side edges over which the edge flanges of the T-bar project, and a bending-roller having outwardly-extending flanges adapted to extend beyond the edges of the matrix-roller and lie against the edge flanges of the T-bar, said bending-roller coacting with the matrix-roller to progressively bend the bar on the matrix as it passes between the rolls and to prevent lateral distortionof the edge flanges of the bar.

4. In a machine for bending T- shaped metal bars, substantially as described, a matrix-roller having a two-part distensible cen' ter and two-part collapsible rim edges and means as described whereby the distention of the center permits the collapse of the rim edges.

5. The collapsible matrix-roller having a two-part distensible center M M between the part-s of which is formed the slot m in combination with two rim edges M M", supported and laterally movable on flanges of the center pieces, distending rods acted on by the closing together of the center parts M and acting against the rim edges to distend them and means for moving the center pieces toward and away from each other.

6. The collapsible matrix-roller having a two-part distensible center M M between the parts of which is formed the slot m in combination with two rim edges M M supported and laterally movable on flanges of the center pieces, distending rods acted on by the closing together of the center parts M and acting against the rim edges to distend them, springs acting against the rim edges to collapse them, and means for moving the center pieces toward and away from each other.

7. In a machine for bending flanged metal bars the combination of a fixed shaft G, G, a relatively-adjustable shaft, E, E, a matrixroll upon and about which the bar is bent and a bending-roll secured on said shafts said rollers being shaped to form grooves forthc flanges of the bars between the walls of which said flanges are held against lateral distortion, and gearing connecting said shafts to drive the rolls with the same peripheral speed.

CHAS. F. MYERS, D. STEWART. 

